Being transparent is very important to all of us here at the Department of Health and Welfare. A good customer experience is also part of our mission to strengthen the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Idaho residents have a right to see government records and monitor the actions of state and local government agencies as outlined in the Idaho Public Records Act  (Idaho Code 74-101 through 74-126).

The department is a large and complex organization with eight divisions and nearly 200 programs. The variety and complexity of records, as well as the confidentiality of some records, creates numerous challenges for obtaining the records people are interested in.   

I’m proud to say that our Public Records coordinator works really hard to monitor and keep track of thousands of requests. The department responded to 3,243 public records requests (PRRs) in 2022, with the help of staff in all eight DHW divisions and our legal team.

The majority of PRRs are for personal records, mostly from the divisions of Family and Community Services, Behavioral Health, and Medicaid. We also get hundreds of requests from attorneys, media, trade groups, and others. Some requests are very large and result in thousands of pages of documents being released. These records must be reviewed for confidential information, privileged communications with attorneys, and vendors’ trade secrets, to name a few exemptions.

Our goal is to respond to all the requests we receive in a timely fashion within the time frames permitted under the public records law. But it can be complicated. If we don’t have a clearly defined request or the necessary verification for a requester, fulfilling requests can be challenging.

If you file a PRR with the department, here are some tips that will help your request be filled as quickly as possible:

• Be as specific as you can about the types of documents you are seeking.
• Be sure to include the required verification and identification if required. 
• If appropriate, include a date or a date range in your public records request to help focus the search.
• Key word searches for emails can be costly and wasteful because they may not be specific enough. A higher number of search terms requested will increase the number of records in the request. But more records do not guarantee more information that is relevant to the request. The more specific your request is, the more likely it will be that you will receive the documents and information you are interested in.
• Data requests are not public record requests. Requests for data are handled separately by the programs that keep the data.
• Keep in mind that many records at DHW are paper and may be stored away from state offices and take more time to search. This is especially true for older
  documents.
• If your request will take longer than two hours of staff time and legal review, you will receive an invoice. Payment must be received before records are produced.
• Birth, marriage, and divorce records are not considered public documents. Birth records are legally confidential for 100 years, and marriage and divorce certificates are legally confidential for 50 years.
• If you don’t know what to ask for, we are happy to discuss your request ahead of time. Under the law we cannot ask you why you are seeking records, but if you are willing to discuss it before filing your request, we can provide some guidance to help you focus your request, so you get the documents you want.
   

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

Many people who smoke, vape, or chew want to quit. Quitting is possible and it’s one of the best choices a person can make to improve their health and protect their loved ones from cancer-causing chemicals.

It’s still early 2023, and many people are setting goals to live happier, healthier lives. If you or a loved one would like to start living tobacco-free, Project Filter can help.

What is Project Filter?

Project Filter is a state health program that supports people who want to quit smoking, vaping, or chewing. The program’s motto is, “You decide when, and we will show you how.” The program also coordinates with policymakers, community organizations, and schools to help prevent people from using tobacco products. If you never start, after all, you never have to quit.

How does Project Filter support people on their quit journeys?

Quitting is hard. It takes most people multiple tries to stay tobacco free. Many people have an easier time quitting with the supportive help of loved ones and free resources from Project Filter.  

According to former smokers, calling The Idaho QuitLine is one of the best steps you can take to quit successfully. In fact, people who call are seven times more likely to quit using tobacco. The Quitline can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW. You can also watch this short video to hear how Idahoans have quit with the help of Idaho Quitline.

QuitLine coaches are encouraging and well-trained. They know quitting is a personal journey and will help callers tailor their quit plans to their individual needs.  Coaches can also help people find quit medications in the form of patches, gum, and lozenges, which can be shipped directly to people’s homes free of charge.

Finally, the QuitLine serves a wide array of Idahoans and has unique programs tailored for people who are pregnant, living with mental illness, or are Native American. The Idaho Quitline also has coaches who speak Spanish and coaches who work with translators to support people who speak any other language.

Vaping and youth tobacco use

My Life, My Quit is a free and confidential coaching program specifically designed for teens and young adults. The program helps teens and young adults quit vaping or smoking, and the sessions can be done through text messages, chat, or phone calls.

Teens can sign up on www.mylifemyquit.com, which also has resources for parents.

Where can people go for more information?

• For free and compassionate support to quit smoking, vaping, or chewing call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit http://www.ProjectFilter.org to learn more.
• For teen-specific resources, look up www.mylifemyquit.com.
• Follow Project Filter on Instagram or Facebook: @projectfilter.

Ashtin Glodt is manager for Project Filter and works in the Division of Public Health. She has six years of education and six years of professional experience in public health. She is especially passionate about promoting equitable community access to health resources.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening Idahoans' health, safety, and independence. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.

As the Idaho Legislature considers Medicaid Expansion this week, we’ve been called to answer a lot of questions about this complex program.

As a reminder, the Division of Medicaid provides healthcare services for low-income people and families in Idaho. This includes adults and children, pregnant women, people over the age of 65, and people with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements.

If you currently receive Medicaid, please take action to make sure you receive notices about your benefits and re-evaluations. Report any changes in your household information, including your phone number and address.

If your contact information has changed, or you want to confirm your current information, call DHW at 877-456-1233 or email MyBenefits@dhw.idaho.gov. You can also report changes by visiting idalink.idaho.gov

Who is served by Medicaid Expansion?

As of January 2023, around 145,000 Idaho residents are enrolled in Medicaid Expansion. These are individuals who have a monthly income of $1,563 or less, or a family of four with a monthly income of $3,192 or less.

Most of them, over 80%, have reportable income.

Some of them, 24%, have a primary diagnosis of Serious Mental Illness. Medicaid Expansion allowed them access to a wider range of behavioral health services so they could get more comprehensive treatment. The state was paying for some services before expansion. Now for every dollar spent in Medicaid, the state pays 10 cents and the federal government pays 90 cents. The cost of Medicaid Expansion is split with 90% paid for by the federal government and 10% paid for by the state.

By comparison, for every dollar spent for traditional Medicaid, the federal government pays for about 70 cents, while the state pays for around 30 cents.

On average, people with a Serious Mental Illness live about 20 years less than others because they often have untreated physical health issues. Medicaid Expansion allows for more comprehensive treatment of both physical and behavioral health issues, which might help people live longer.

Did Medicaid Expansion reduce costs for healthcare providers?

Yes -- hospitals report spending $42 million less on charity care and had $61 million less bad debt from 2019-2021.

What is Medicaid Protection or continuous Medicaid enrollment?

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, states were not allowed to remove anyone from Medicaid enrollment unless they moved out of the state, asked to be removed, or died. This was called continuous Medicaid enrollment or continuous Medicaid coverage. It was also called Medicaid Protection.

As people’s situations or incomes changed, some of the people enrolled in Medicaid and Medicaid Expansion are no longer qualified to get benefits. Recent federal statute allows the department to remove Idahoans who no longer qualify for Medicaid starting April 1. Notices will be sent to those people starting Feb. 1, and those re-evaluations are expected to be finished by September. If they are found to be ineligible, they will no longer receive Medicaid or Medicaid Expansion benefits.

Does this mean people enrolled in Medicaid Expansion will be removed from the program?

We expect that some Medicaid Expansion participants will no longer be eligible and will be removed from the program. 

Of nearly 450,000 Idahoans enrolled in Medicaid (including Expansion), we know that 300,000 are eligible because DHW staff have completed their re-evaluations.

There are about 150,000 people currently enrolled in Medicaid who we know either don't qualify or have not been in contact with the department during the public health emergency. Of these, 67,000 are enrolled in Medicaid Expansion.

In the re-evaluation process, those who no longer qualify for Medicaid may be eligible for the Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC). That credit can be used to buy health insurance on the state-based health insurance market, called Your Health Idaho. The department has worked closely with Your Health Idaho to create transitions for those who may need to switch from one kind of coverage to the other.

Will the department send out all 150,000 notices on Feb. 1?

The department will send the notices out in batches of about 30,000 each month for the next six months. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires that we complete the full re-evaluation process for all participants in Medicaid Protection. This means that once we send the notices, customers have up to 60 days to respond. If they don’t respond at all, they can be removed from the program. If they do respond, that starts a process to determine if they are eligible. 

Healthcare costs and Medicaid costs seem to increase each year. Does the department have a plan to keep costs in check?

Containing Medicaid costs is very important to us. Since the pandemic began at the same time Medicaid Expansion was rolling out in Idaho, we don’t yet have a clear picture of the true costs of Expansion. As we move through this next year or two and hopefully away from the pandemic, we expect to get a more accurate idea of what the costs will be.

In the meantime, the Healthy Connection Value Care Program focuses on paying healthcare providers for value, rather than volume. Medicaid participants are connected with a primary care provider who can help them make healthier decisions and get treatment for issues before they become chronic and more expensive.

Here’s how that works. The vast majority of healthcare providers across the state participate in at least one of the 11 value care organizations. These agreements set cost targets for healthcare providers for their Medicaid patients. If the annual cost comes in above the target, the healthcare providers pay Medicaid for a portion of the higher cost. If the annual cost comes in below the target, the healthcare providers share in some of the savings. ​​

To make sure that cost savings are not achieved by reducing access or quality, healthcare providers must also achieve quality targets, which means their patients are achieving better health.​

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

Updating Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Idaho is no small task, but I was grateful yesterday for the opportunity to join my EMS colleagues to discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Idaho.

EMS workers from throughout the state — as far away as Boundary County — traveled to Boise on Monday to help make a difference on behalf of the communities they serve. Paramedics, EMTs, air medical  personnel, EMS and Fire department leadership, hospital staff, and many others joined me at the Idaho Statehouse.

While their specific training and missions vary, they attended EMS Day for one purpose: to help educate lawmakers and Idaho residents about the challenges ahead. They explained that EMS services in Idaho are faced with population growth, a fragmented system of volunteers and paid staff, and Idaho’s inherently rural character.

If nothing changes with the current system, a crisis is looming, and I was encouraged that the people we spoke with seemed to understand.

EMS in Idaho is currently provided within a framework of different organizations that vary in patient transport and clinical abilities. Some emergency services use paid career response personnel while others rely on volunteers.

There’s a lot of variation in staffing models, but a consistent thread in Idaho is that rural communities tend to rely on volunteers, who are often the only emergency response available.

The total number of licensed EMS personnel has remained stable over the past 15 years but  hasn’t kept pace with the state’s population growth. Much of the increase in the number of licensed EMS personnel has been in the state’s urban areas, while the number of EMS personnel in rural communities continues to shrink.

If the current trend continues, many rural communities will be at risk of longer EMS response times due to a lack of EMS personnel. Communities that now have a local ambulance service may have to rely on a distant neighboring community for EMS Service.

There have been several efforts over the years to better understand the challenges facing the organizations and personnel who provide EMS in Idaho.

• The Idaho Office of Performance Evaluation published a study in 2010 about the governance of EMS agencies.
• In 2012 and 2018, the Bureau of EMS at the Department of Health and Welfare published reports detailing the concerns and possible solutions specific to volunteer EMS personnel.
• In 2021, the Office of Performance Evaluations published a report about volunteer EMS providers with several actionable recommendations.

After reviewing the latest Office of Performance Evaluations report, the Health Quality Planning Commission asked the Department of Health and Welfare to convene a task force to find policy solutions — including draft legislative language — that will help make sure reliable EMS response is available everywhere in Idaho.

The task force first met in June 2022 and will continue to meet as needed. Four workgroups were formed to explore solutions between monthly meetings.

Another recent development includes hiring six contracted EMS planners who will work with Idaho’s 44 counties to document current EMS response capabilities, best practices, and resource requirements for a sustained EMS response.

The planners are only getting started, but they’ll develop plans for each of Idaho’s 44 counties moving forward.

For more information, visit the EMS Sustainability Task Force webpage.

Wayne Denny is EMS bureau chief in DHW’s Division of Public Health. He’s been with the department for 18 years.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening Idahoans' health, safety, and independence. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.

The Division of Medicaid provides healthcare services for low-income people and families in Idaho. This includes adults and children, pregnant women, people over the age of 65, and people with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements.

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, states were not allowed to remove anyone from Medicaid unless they moved out of the state, asked to be removed, or died. This was called continuous Medicaid enrollment or continuous Medicaid coverage. It was also called Medicaid Protection.

As people’s situations or incomes changed, some of the people enrolled in Medicaid are no longer qualified to get benefits. And recent federal statute allows the department to remove Idahoans who no longer qualify for Medicaid starting April 1.​

We are ready for this.

Many other states stopped doing Medicaid re-evaluations during the public health emergency. Idaho continued to do them to gauge eligibility, even though we could not remove participants who no longer qualify during the public health emergency. Of the nearly 450,000 Idahoans enrolled in Medicaid, we know that 300,000 of those enrolled are eligible.

There are about 150,000 people currently enrolled in Medicaid who either don't qualify or have not been in contact with the department during the public health emergency. Starting Feb. 1, we will send the first batch of re-evaluation notices. We will send batches of notices each month. We expect to complete the re-evaluations of these 150,000 Idahoans by September.

This is one of the fastest timelines in the country for Medicaid re-evaluations.  

If you currently receive Medicaid, please take action to make sure you receive notices about your benefits and re-evaluations. Report any changes in your household information, including your phone number and address.

If your contact information has changed, or you want to confirm your current information, call DHW at 877-456-1233 or email MyBenefits@dhw.idaho.gov. You can also report changes by visiting idalink.idaho.gov

Learn more about Medicaid Protection.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

As a former personal trainer, I had a love-hate relationship with January. The gyms were always brim-full of people working on their New Year resolutions, and I wondered how many would make it into February or March.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I failed to meet my own fitness and lifestyle goals. I put on a few pounds, isolated, and disconnected from the hobbies and activities that brought me joy.

But all these things — exercise, hobbies, activities — are related to much more than how well our jeans fit. I now work in brain health as a program manager for the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program, and my focus — and the example I want to set — is based on establishing a routine that I can maintain for the rest of my life.

Now I ask myself: At 47, how can I keep my heart healthy so my brain will maintain good cognitive abilities throughout my life? What can I do now to help me form a healthy 83-year-old brain in another 35-odd years?

So here’s what I’ve started:

• Physical activity: I’m walking to and from work again. I haven’t allowed myself to be scared away by a little drizzle or fog. If it’s icy, I walk in the underground tunnel on the state Capitol Mall during breaks and pass my co-workers with a gentle smile and hello.
• Obesity, hypertension, and diabetes: I’m trying to eat at least one veggie a day. Let’s be realistic: if you grew up as a farm girl in the Owyhees like me, then you grew up on meat and potatoes. But while it can be tough to commit to veggies, it will pay off for your body (and mind) in spades.
• Stress management: I’m learning to say “no” and keeping myself from getting overscheduled.
• Social interactions: I’m allowing myself to get together with one friend a week, so I still have time to spend with family and with myself.
• Sufficient sleep: I’m setting my phone down an hour before bedtime to allow my brain time to adjust and prepare for bed.

There are several other things I could do that allow me to take control of my brain health now, but I’m going to take it slow, build a new habit, and hopefully be able to take on new risk-reduction measures later.

Tiffany Robb is health program manager for the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program in the Division of Public Health at DHW. A self-described compassionate extrovert, she’s had a diverse career that’s included personal training, business ownership and management, teaching, research, and project management. Tiffany finds working on brain health, Alzheimer’s, and dementia an honor and a tribute to family members who have been impacted by dementia.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening Idahoans' health, safety, and independence. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day. As we observe the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his commitment to others, I reflect on his legacy and think about the poignant question he posed to an audience in Montgomery, Ala., in 1957: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

That makes me think of the department’s commitment to the people of Idaho. We strive to create an environment where we treat each other -- employees and the Idahoans we serve --with courtesy, respect, and dignity. We serve all Idahoans.

We value inclusion. We want employees to contribute their perspectives about how the department can meet the needs of those we serve. We want program participants to tell us their needs, to help us understand their struggles, and to share with us their successes, so that we can provide them with the services they need and help them live their best lives.

We value diversity. Our hope is that employees and the Idahoans we serve experience a sense of belonging and that they are valued for many things, including their perspectives, contributions, backgrounds, cultures, trainings, and the life experiences that shape them. We want the people we serve to feel that their needs are recognized and have been met to the best of our ability.

We value collaboration with other agencies as well as with our community partners, both in leadership and supportive roles, because we cannot do this alone.

I am very proud of the dedication and commitment DHW employees demonstrate daily in their service to the people of Idaho. We help those who are working toward self-reliance, and who need a safe place to raise their families. We help people in crisis. We touch the lives of Idahoans who need help with food, physical health, substance use disorder, behavioral health challenges, child support, vaccinations, and many other things.

Our goals could not be accomplished without each of our employees. I have seen our employees’ commitment on full display while job shadowing them. I am inspired by the work they do and the impact it makes on our fellow Idahoans.

Help is available to those who need it. Dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588 or text 898211 to be connected to a 2-1-1 community resource specialist 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Mountain Time) Monday through Friday. 

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

Did you know radon is present in many Idaho homes? The Idaho Environmental Health Program within the Division of Public Health manages the Idaho Radon Program. Below is information to separate radon facts from fiction and help keep your family healthy.

Fact: All homes should be tested for radon.

Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste. It enters homes through gaps or cracks in the foundation. All homes, including new builds, existing homes, and those with and without basements, can have high levels of radon gas. With more people working from home since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the risk of radon exposure may be increased as more time is spent at home. 

Testing is easy and the only way to know if you are being exposed to radon in your home. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends testing your home every two years or after any remodeling.

 You can order a free short-term test kit from www.radonidaho.org or call the Idaho Careline at 2-1-1 or 1-800-445-8647.

Fiction: Radon is not an issue where I live.

Two out of every five homes tested in Idaho have radon levels higher than recommended. In fact, high radon levels have been found in homes located in every county in the state. To learn more about radon test results and recommended actions, visit www.radonidaho.org.  You can also view Idaho radon test results by zip code on an interactive map and order a free short-term test kit.

Fiction: Radon is not harmful to my health.

Long-term exposure to radon gas is known to cause lung cancer and is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. To learn more about the health effects of radon, visit the EPA’s Health Risk of Radon website at epa.gov/radon/health-risk-radon.

Fact: Winter is the best time to test a home for radon.

Radon levels can change by season and with the weather. The highest levels of radon are found during winter months when homes get less fresh air. To learn more about radon testing and how to respond to a radon problem, visit www.radonidaho.org.

Fact: A radon problem can be fixed.

Radon mitigation systems can effectively reduce the levels of radon in a home. The Idaho Radon Program recommends hiring a nationally-certified radon professional to reduce radon in your home. To locate a radon professional, visit www.radonidaho.org.

Radon Virtual Workshops hosted this month

The Idaho Radon Program is offering a free one-hour interactive radon workshop that will explain what radon is, how it enters your home, and what you can do to help prevent excessive exposure and reduce your risk of lung cancer. To register, visit www.radonidaho.org.

• Jan. 12   2 p.m. - 3 p.m. MT, virtual online
• Jan. 15   4 p.m. - 5 p.m. MT, virtual online
• Jan. 17   4 p.m. - 5 p.m. MT, virtual online
• Jan. 23   6 p.m. - 7 p.m. MT, virtual online

Idaho Certified Radon Mitigation Incentive Program

The Idaho Radon Program is offering a $250 reimbursement for the completion of Center of Environmental Research & Technology, Inc (CERTI) Radon Measurement and Mitigation Course and 100% reimbursement for nationally approved National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) certified radon mitigation test for 20 students. Coursework and a test must be completed between Jan. 1, 2023 and June 1, 2023, and students must submit all documents for reimbursement by June 1, 2023. For more information, please visit www.radonidaho.org.

Brigitta Gruenberg is the Environmental Health Program manager in the Division of Public Health.  

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening Idahoans' health, safety, and independence. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.

Monday will start the first regular session of the sixty-seventh Idaho Legislature. Lawmakers and state agency personnel have been gearing-up for a full session. I have enjoyed meeting with the chairs of the Health and Welfare committees in the House and Senate to get to know them a little better before session begins. I am looking forward to working with leadership in these committees on initiatives that will strengthen the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. 

DHW personnel also have been busy responding to legislators’ inquiries and preparing information to help inform decision-making once the session begins and bills are introduced. 

Ultimately, legislators, not agencies, are responsible for setting policy and direction. State agencies have a role on the front and back ends of the process. On the front end, the role of state agencies is to provide accurate, timely information to legislators to help inform their decisions. Then, after the votes are taken and decisions are finalized, the role of state agencies on the back end is to implement those decisions.

One of the most important things the Idaho Legislature does is set the budgets for all the state agencies. It’s a big job – the 20 members of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) have a steep learning curve as they prepare for, listen to, and consider presentations about all the programs and services the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) and other state agencies provide for Idahoans so they can make budget recommendations to the House and Senate.

To effectively provide services for Idahoans with complex social, economic, and health issues, DHW is organized into eight divisions, with 11 budgets, that support the work we do every day to help strengthen the health, safety, and independence of all Idahoans. 

On Jan. 17 and 18, I will present an overview and the department’s budgets to JFAC. Here’s the department’s JFAC schedule. You can watch and listen online at Idaho in Session.      

Tuesday. Jan. 17:

• 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. -- Department of Health & Welfare (Director’s overview)
• 8:45 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. Child Welfare
• 9:10 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Services for Developmentally Disabled
• 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Break
• 9:45 a.m. to 10:05 a.m. Service Integration
• 10:05 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Division of Welfare
• 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Division of Medicaid

Wednesday, Jan. 18:

• 8 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. Public Health Services
• 8:20 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. Domestic Violence Council
• 8:40 a.m. to 9 a.m. Developmental Disabilities Council
• 9 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. Indirect Support Services
• 9:20 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. Break
• 9:40 a.m. to 10 a.m. Licensing & Certification
• 10 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. Substance Abuse Services
• 10:20 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Mental Health Services
• 10:40 a.m. to 11 a.m. Psychiatric Hospitalizations

The House Health and Welfare Committee meets daily at 9 a.m., and the Senate Health and Welfare Committee meets Mondays through Thursdays at 3 p.m. Topics that directly relate to Health and Welfare are commonly introduced in these committees. Those meetings also can be watched at Idaho in Session.           

I am looking forward to a successful session and to working with the legislators. Together, we share a passion and commitment to the people of Idaho.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

The last two weeks of the year are a good time to slow down, reflect on the past year, and look forward to the year that’s about to unfold.

Our mission remains the same as we move into the new year: We’re dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. We continue to work toward healthcare that is affordable and available; to protect children and vulnerable adults; to help Idahoans be as healthy and self-sufficient as possible; and to earn and keep your trust.

I am thankful for DHW employees whose steadfast commitment makes a difference for Idahoans. They work for the department because they want Idaho to be a great place to live and raise a family. They prioritize public service and helping others. It can feel stressful and daunting sometimes, but the personal rewards are significant. The difference they make for Idahoans often leads to lasting change.

I’m also thankful for the many community partners and stakeholders who work hand-in-hand with DHW to help Idahoans live their best possible lives. These relationships are critical in meeting the needs of Idahoans. I appreciate their expertise and contributions to our great state.

I want to take a moment to wish you joy and happiness during this holiday season, no matter how you celebrate. I hope you also find joy in your successes from the past year, and I hope you look forward to more successes in the coming year.

Happy, healthy holidays!

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.